Joseph and Jesus || 约瑟和耶稣

Article #40 the series: You Are God’s Masterpiece: The Genesis Notes.

你是神的杰作:《创世记手记》系列第四十

Purposeful Prison Life
有目的的狱中生活

Joseph’s life in prison immediately becomes purposeful and we see in this chapter how God is developing excellent character in Joseph which will prepare him for the important days ahead.

约瑟在狱中的生活立刻变得有目的了，我们在本章中看到 神如何培养约瑟的优秀品格，使他为将来的大使命做好准备。

Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. After they had been in custody for some time, each of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?” “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.” “This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale your body on a pole. And the birds will eat away your flesh.” Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
Genesis 40:1-23 NIV

 

这事以后，埃及王的酒政和膳长得罪了他们的主埃及王，法老就恼怒酒政和膳长这二臣，把他们下在护卫长府内的监里，就是约瑟被囚的地方。护卫长把他们交给约瑟，约瑟便 伺候他们。他们有些日子在监里。被囚在监之埃及王的酒政和膳长，二人同夜各做一梦，各梦都有讲解。到了早晨，约瑟进到他们那里，见他们有愁闷的样子。他便问法老的二臣，就是与他同囚在他主人府里的，说：“你们今日为什么面带愁容呢？”他们对他说：“我们各人做了一梦，没人有能解。”约瑟说：“解梦不是出于神吗？请你们将梦告诉我。”酒政便将他的梦告诉约瑟说：“我梦见在我面前有一棵葡萄树，树上有三根枝子，好像发了芽，开了花，上头的葡萄都成熟了。法老的杯在我手中，我就拿葡萄挤在法老的杯里，将杯递在他手中。”约瑟对他说：“你所做的梦是这样解：三根枝子就是三天。三天之内，法老必提你出监，叫你官复原职，你仍要递杯在法老的手中，和先前作他的酒政一样。但你得好处的时候，求你记念我，施恩与我，在法老面前提说我，救我出这监牢。我实在是从希伯来人之地被拐来的，我在这里也没有做过什么，叫他们把我下在监里。”膳长见梦解得好，就对约瑟说：“我在梦中见我头上顶着三筐白饼，极上的筐子里有为法老烤的各样食物，有飞鸟来吃我头上筐子里的食物。”约瑟说：“你的梦是这样解：三个筐子就是三天。三天之内，法老必斩断你的头，把你挂在木头上，必有飞鸟来吃你身上的肉。”到了第三天，是法老的生日，他为众臣仆设摆筵席，把酒政和膳长提出监来，使酒政官复原职，他仍旧递杯在法老手中；但把膳长挂起来，正如约瑟向他们所解的话。酒政却不记念约瑟，竟忘了他。
创世记40:1-23

Joseph’s Authority
约瑟的权柄

In Joseph’s new job of overseeing the prison he is responsible for officials. Several times in this passage we hear the word “officials.” Obviously the cupbearer and baker were no ordinary prisoners, no ordinary workers. They were high-level people. These very high-level people are under Joseph’s authority. Why? The captain of the guard observed God was with Joseph in everything he did. Because of this, Joseph was given authority. Joseph did not seek this place of authority; it was given to him.

约瑟监管囚犯的新工作包括了他要负责管理大臣。在这段经文中，我们多次听到“大臣”这个词-很显然，酒政和膳长不是普通的囚犯，也不是普通的工人，他们是高层人士。这些高层人物都是在约瑟的权柄之下。为什么? 护卫长观察到，在约瑟所行的一切事上，耶和华都与约瑟同在。因此，约瑟被赋予了这些权柄。约瑟并没有主动寻求这这些权力，而是被赋予的。

In the world, authority means power, wealth, being the boss, being the top person. Authority in the world is often used selfishly. In Joseph’s situation and in the Bible, authority is used in a different way. Authority is having a place of influence – not for your own gain, but for the benefit of others and the glory of God. Biblical authority is not chased after as it is in the world. It is given by God to the one who will submit to God’s authority.

在这个世界上，权柄意味着权力、财富，当老板、成为社会最上流的人。世上的权柄经常被人以权谋私。在圣经中，在约瑟的处境里，使用权柄的方式是不同的。权柄产生影响力-不是为了谋私利，而是为了他人的利益和 神的荣耀。圣经中的权柄并不像世上的权柄那样是靠争取而来的。神把权柄授予那些愿意顺服 神权柄的人。

Joseph used his authority to bless those in prison – his master and the other prisoners. He did not use his authority to give himself a better life in prison. Because he had authority the other prisoners listened to him. His authority gave him influence.

约瑟用他的权柄来祝福那些在狱中的人-他的主人和其他囚犯。他没有滥用权力让自己在监狱里过上更好的生活。因为他有权柄，其他囚犯都听从他的话。他的权柄赋予了他影响力。

Do you know anyone who has authority and uses it to bless others? How does that person have a positive influence on the people around them?

你认识某个人是拥有权柄而且使用权柄来祝福他人的吗？那人是如何对他周围的人产生积极的影响？

Joseph’s Sensitivity
约瑟的敏感

Joseph sees the cupbearer and baker are sad. He doesn’t ignore them. He doesn’t stay busy with his life and walk by. He stops, he notices, he asks. Because he cared he was able to influence their lives. If he was not sensitive, he would have gone on with his day. But because he took the time to stop, notice, care and speak to these men, he was able to use his gifts in their lives and years later it would be a blessing to Joseph.

约瑟看到了酒政和膳长在愁闷难过。他没有忽视他们。他没有忙于自己的生活就匆忙走过。他停下来，注意到了，然后询问。因为他关心，就能影响他们的生活。如果他不敏感，他就会照常继续他的一天。但是，因为他花时间停下来，注意、关心，与这些人交谈，他才能在他们的生命中使用他的恩赐，多年后，这将成为约瑟的祝福。

Joseph’s Gifts
约瑟的恩赐

Last chapter we saw Joseph had the gift of administration, so Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything. The leader of the prison also put Joseph in charge of everything. Joseph had a gift and he was using his gift to bless others. At this moment we see one more of Joseph’s gifts: dream interpretation. He did not shy away from using his gift. He had confidence and shared his gift with others.

在上一章，我们看到约瑟有管理的恩赐-因此波提乏让约瑟掌管一切。司狱也让约瑟负责所有事务。约瑟有一个恩赐，他正使用它来祝福别人。此刻，我们看到了约瑟的另一个恩赐：解梦。他并不羞于运用他的恩赐。他有自信，并与他人分享他的恩赐。

God’s Glory
神的荣耀

Joseph does not take credit for interpreting the dreams. He clearly states God provided understanding. Joseph does not have any natural ability or deep understanding. He relies on God to decipher the dreams. This is once again the key to Joseph’s success: God is with him. And Joseph gives all glory to God. He doesn’t say, “No problem. I can understand your dream.” He clearly points to God.

约瑟并没有因为解梦而谋取好处，他清楚地表明，是 神给予了对梦的诠释。约瑟没有任何天生的能力或深刻的理解力。他靠着 神来解梦。这再次表明了约瑟成功的关键：神与他同在。约瑟将一切荣耀归给 神。他没有说“没问题！我可以解你的梦！”相反，他很明确地指出解梦的是 神。

Joseph’s Suffering
约瑟的苦难

At the end of this chapter we have a little window into Joseph’s heart when he references his two points of suffering. Even though Joseph is super successful, he is still suffering and this is always in front of him. He is very aware of the pain in his life and he would like the suffering to end.

在这一章的结尾，我们可以窥探到约瑟的心底，他提到了自己的两点苦难。尽管约瑟非常成功，但他仍在受苦，这件事总是摆在他面前。他很清楚的知道自己生命中的痛苦，希望这痛苦能够结束。

Joseph Was Forgotten
约瑟被遗忘了

Even though he helped the cupbearer and it was obvious Joseph was a special person, he was totally forgotten for two years. He continues to wait in obscurity. Even though he is a man with authority, giftings and God’s presence, no one knows about him. He is forgotten in a dungeon.

虽然约瑟帮助了酒政，很显然，约瑟是个非常特别的人，可他却被彻底遗忘了2年。他继续默默无闻地等待着。虽然他有权柄、有才能、与 神同在-却没有人知道他。他被遗忘在监里。

Joseph Recap:
回顾约瑟:

Joseph is given a place of authority.

约瑟被赋予权柄；

Joseph is sensitive to others.

约瑟对别人很敏感；

Joseph confidently operates in his giftings.
约瑟自信地运用他的天赋；

Joseph gives glory to God.

约瑟将荣耀归于 神；

Joseph is suffering.

约瑟经受苦难；

Joseph is forgotten and must wait.

约瑟被人遗忘而须等待；

This Reminds Us of Jesus:
这让我们想到了耶稣：

Jesus was given a place of authority.

耶稣被赋予权柄；

Jesus was sensitive to others.
耶稣对别人很敏感；

Jesus confidently operated in His giftings.
耶稣自信地运用他的天赋；

Jesus gave glory to God.
耶稣将荣耀归于 神；

Jesus suffered.
耶稣受难；

Jesus was forgotten on the cross.
耶稣被遗忘在十字架上；

Jesus’ Authority
耶稣的权柄

Jesus’ authority was from His Father. He submitted to His Father and then He was given the authority.

耶稣的权柄来自他的父。耶稣顺服他的父，就得了权柄。

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

 

“耶稣进前来，对他们说：‘天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了。所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗（注：或作“给他们施洗，归于父、子、圣灵的名）。凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守，我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了。’”
马太福音28:18-20

Jesus’ Sensitivity
耶稣的敏感

Wherever He went He had compassion on the people. He taught them, healed them, took care of their needs. He always stopped to care for others.
无论走到哪里，耶稣都会同情百姓，教导他们，医治他们，照顾他们的需要。他总是停下来去关心别人。

Jesus’ Gifts
耶稣的恩赐

Wherever Jesus went, He demonstrated His power even in the face of opposition.

无论走到哪里，即便面对反对势力，耶稣都彰显出衪的大能。

God’s Glory
神的荣耀

Jesus always pointed to His Father. He always said He spoke His Father’s words and did what His Father asked.

耶稣凡事都指向衪的父。衪总是说衪说了父的话，做了父要衪做的事。

Jesus’ Suffering
耶稣受难

Jesus never had a home, a family, a high paying career. People often tried to kill Him, spoke against Him and then tortured and killed Him.

耶稣从来没有家，没有家庭，也没有高薪的事业。人们常常试图杀死他、反对他，然后折磨且杀害了衪。

Jesus Was Forgotten
耶稣被遗忘

When on the cross He was forgotten – left by His friends, left by the crowds who supported Him and even His Father turned His face away from Jesus.

当耶稣在十字架上被遗忘时 —— 被衪的朋友抛弃，被跟随衪的人群抛弃，甚至父也把脸转离不看耶稣。

What About Us?
那我们呢？

Can we also follow this example?
我们也能效仿这个例子吗？

I am given a place of authority.
我被赐予权柄；

I will be sensitive to others.
我会对别人很敏感；

I will confidently operate in my giftings.
我将自信地使用我的恩赐；

I will give glory to God.
我要将荣耀归于 神；

I will suffer.
我会受苦；

I may be forgotten and must wait.
我可能会被遗忘且须等待；

My Authority As I Submit To The Lordship Of Jesus
我的权柄缘于我顺服主耶稣基督

In order to walk with God’s authority, we must first submit to His Lordship. Some people receive Jesus as their Savior – the one who forgives and loves – but they do not then take the next step of making Jesus their Lord submitting their lives to Him. Have you submitted your entire life to Jesus? Do you follow Him? As you submit to Him, He will give you a place of authority, a place of influence.

为了与 神的权柄同行，我们必须首先顺服衪的带领。有些人接受耶稣作为他们的救世主-那个饶恕和爱他们的人-但是他们并不采取下一步的行动，让耶稣成为他们的主，把自己的生命交给耶稣。你把你的一生都交给耶稣了吗？你要跟随衪吗？你们顺服衪的时候，衪必赐给你们一个有权柄与影响力的地方。

“Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”
Matthew 10:1 NIV

 

“耶稣叫了十二个门徒来，给他们权柄，能赶逐污鬼，并医治各样的病症。”
马太福音 10:1

Jesus Christ lives in me and I am submitted to Him. The amount of authority I carry from Jesus is in proportion to my submission to Him. And I can use this authority to influence the world for Jesus.

耶稣基督住在我里面，我顺服于衪。耶稣赐给我多少权柄，与我顺服祂的程度是成比例的。我可以用这个权柄为耶稣去影响这个世界。

Have you submitted your life to the Lordship of Christ? Do you carry His authority?

你把你的生命交给主基督了吗？你是否带着衪的权柄？

I Will Be Sensitive To Others
我会对别人敏感

With this authority, I must have Jesus’ compassionate eyes for the world. Am I looking for those who are hurting, sick, in need of hope? Am I stopping to reach out to them with the love and power of Christ?

因着这样的权柄，我必须用耶稣慈悲的双眼来看这个世界。我在寻找那些受伤，生病，需要希望的人吗？我是否停下来，把基督的爱和能力带给他们呢？

“Carry each another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2 NIV

 

“你们各人的重担要互相担当，如此，就完全了基督的律法。”
加拉太书6:2

I Will Use My Giftings
我会使用我的恩赐

God will give gifts to His children. There are many different gifts: teaching, giving, hospitality, administration, mercy, prophecy, etc. There are gifts for everyone.

神会赐恩赐予衪的儿女。有许多不同的恩赐：教导，施舍，殷勤，治理，怜悯，说预言等等。每个人都有恩赐。

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:6-8 NIV

 

“按我们所得的恩赐，各有不同：或说预言，就当照着信心的程度说预言；或作执事，就当专一执事；或作教导的，就当专一教导；或作劝化的，就当专一劝化；施舍的，就当诚实；治理的，就当殷勤；怜悯人的，就当甘心。”
罗马书 12:6-8

Do you know what your God-given gifts are?

你知道 神赐给你哪些恩赐吗？

I Will Give Glory to God
我要将荣耀归给 神

We should never take the glory ourselves, but our life should point people to the Lord.

我们不应当归荣耀给自己，但我们的生命应当引人归向主。

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

 

“你们是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隐藏的。人点灯，不放在斗底下，是放在灯台上，就照亮一家的人。你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。”
马太福音5:14-16

I Will Suffer
我会受苦

Jesus told us there will be suffering in this world, we should not be shocked when it comes. We can be encouraged that our suffering will transform us.

耶稣告诉我们，这世上会有苦难，当苦难到来时我们无需震惊。我们的苦难将改变我们，这让我们备受鼓舞。

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 NIV

 

“我的弟兄们，你们落在百般试炼中，都要以为大喜乐；因为知道你们的信心经过试验，就生忍耐。但忍耐也当成功，使你们成全完备，毫无缺欠。”
雅各书 1:2-4

I May Be Forgotten and Must Wait
我可能会被遗忘，但必须等待

Waiting. This is common to all believers. Many of us are waiting. Waiting for jobs, spouses, children, ministry opportunity. Waiting for restored relationships, transformation in our own lives. Waiting is a part of our life of faith. Do not waste the waiting time – it is precious. Wait on the Lord and He will renew your strength. In waiting we receive a gift.

等候，这对所有信徒而言是很普遍的事。我们中的很多人都在等待。等待工作、配偶、孩子、事工机会。等待修复的关系，等待生命的更新和变化。等待是我们信仰生活的一部分。不要浪费等待的宝贵时间。要等候耶和华，衪必使你从新得力！我们在等候中领受恩赐。

“ … but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV

 

“但那等候耶和华的，必从新得力。他们必如鹰展翅上腾，他们奔跑却不困倦，行走却不疲乏。”
以赛亚书40:31

Am I willing to wait and be forgotten for the Lord? Joseph could have used his authority and gifts to get himself out of prison. He had influence. But he did not make it happen. He waited and served others in his waiting time.

我愿意为了主而待候，被遗忘吗？约瑟本可以利用他的权柄和恩赐让自己离开牢狱。他有影响力。但他并没有让这样的事发生。他等待着，而且一边等一边服侍他人。

Are you in a time of suffering or waiting? What is the Lord teaching you during this precious time?

你正处在痛苦或等待之中吗？在这宝贵的时间里，主在教导你什么？

If you find yourself in a waiting time today or suffering, let us learn from Joseph. There is much we can do now to serve and bring glory to God as we wait on Him.

如果你发现自己今天处于等待或痛苦的时刻，让我们一起向约瑟学习。当我们等候主的时候，我们可以做很多事来服侍 神，将荣耀归给 神。